Signet Ring Collab with Warren Smith

Look at this incredible engraving! Like, who cares who made the ring (me)…the engraving: just wow!

Not many people have this engraving skill. There are certain skill-sets in my industry that no longer flourish the way they use to. People are no longer trained the way they used to be and thanks to machines, there are certain things people don’t need to worry about anymore. Thanks to machines, we can repair things we couldn’t repair before. But also, because of machines, skills like engraving, aren’t very common anymore.

I made this ring using my customers old gold and I subcontracted the engraving to Warren Smith from Coast Handworks. You can see more of his incredible work at his website here.

2022 Cultural Crawl

Join us for a custom jewellery pop-up at Good Omen Shop in New Westminster during the 2022 New Westminster Cultural Crawl on October 15th and 16th! More info on the crawl here.

Book a time with me and we can design a custom piece of jewellery for you! Details of the event here.

Why the New Westminster Cultural Crawl? Because it’s a great way to connect with my local community. Many artists host the event in their personal studios. I choose to host the event in a boutique downtown because I get to connect with way more people (my studio is off the beaten path) and also support another small and beautiful business at the same time. Good Omen’s owner Lia curates a beautiful selection of artisan goods and she does so much for the community.

I hope you will pop by to say hi!

Unique bi-colour amethyst

Sometimes I get these ideas and they won’t go away. Is it the universe trying to tell me something?

My customer wanted a ring with both of her daughters birthstones: April (diamond-white) and February (Amethyst-purple). I designed several rings that had two stones and was searching for the right colour purple. Then I stumbled upon this bi-color amethyst that is white AND purple.

I couldn’t stop thinking about it. Literally. As soon as I thought of my customer and her ring, I thought of this stone. I had to show her! If she didn’t want it, I would order it anyways because the symmetry was so unique and beautiful.

Turns out she loved it too! We had started off with the intention of making a different ring and then ended up with this gorgeous power ring. It’s so cliche…but sometimes you just have to trust your gut. One of my fave rings of 2022 for sure!

An aquamarine for me!

My oldest boy’s birthstone is aquamarine and I’ve been holding on to this moss aquamarine for awhile waiting to make myself something with it. I was planning on making a ring but since I already have so many, I decided that a pendant would be a great choice!

He was really excited that I made myself a pendant with his birthstone. He thinks it’s for him! One day buddy!

I don’t often have time to make myself jewellery but this year I’ve made myself a ring with my younger son’s birthstone and this pendant with my older son’s pendant. Lucky me!

Go Solo Interview

I recently did an interview with Go Solo for their Entrepreneurial Stories. You can read the interview here. Here’s a sneak peak:

Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in jewellery but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Alicia Agarrabeitia, Founder of AA Goldsmith, located in New Westminster, BC, Canada.

What's your business, and who are your customers?

I am a goldsmith and jewellery designer, but some people call me the "jewellery magician." I specialize in melting down old, unworn jewellery and turning it into something new! Every jewellery box is a treasure chest for me! I also create one-of-a-kind jewellery collections that I sell on my website. The hardest part about making jewellery, is having to sell it!

Tell us about yourself

When I'm not making jewellery, you can find me drinking coffee, reading books, being my neighbourhood's self-appointed cat and flower photographer, hoarding gems and stationary, and building lego sports cars for my five-year-old.

I grew up in the jewellery business (my dad is a goldsmith), and I truly love what I do! My biggest motivation (other than paying the bills) is seeing the joy on people's faces when I turn jewellery they really didn't like into something they love!

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

I'm most proud of my resilience! I am always learning, and if something doesn't work out, I take the learning lesson and move on. Thanks to my curiosity and resilience, I have a growing and thriving business, which means I ALWAYS have work, and that is a huge accomplishment coming from days when I used to have to hold a part-time job to pay the bills.

Read the rest of the interview here.

A makeover for me!

Makeover Monday: this one's for me! 4.45carat emerald set in 18k yellow gold. Got the original ring for mother's day last year and finally made myself a new ring for mother's day this year.

My husband bought the ring for the stone. Neither one of us cared for the original design so I made a new one! I always liked the emerald and then Atlas was born in May (emerald birthstone), so it was meant to be! Although Atlas was almost born in April which is diamond birthstone... wouldn't that have been a funny story!

BEFORE

Engagement Ring Makeover

Has your style totally changed from when you first got your engagement ring? My customer still likes her original ring but wanted something that reflects who she is now. She prefers yellow gold over white and something with a low-profile that doesn't catch on things.

I kept the old ring as is for now since we'll eventually use the white gold and small diamonds for something else. Or maybe she'll want to put the diamond back into her original ring!

Updating engagement rings is common although a touchy subject! Have you updated your engagement ring? Do you want to? Do you feel bad about wanting to change it? Tell me your secrets!

BEFORE

Metamorphosis 45: Family Door Necklaces

Family door pendants: they can represent you, your home, or be a magical door into your own little world. I’m not sure what compelled me to make Ferin and her kids these little doors but I love them. (Hopefully she does too!)

At one point I wondered if I made the right choice (as I always do during these projects) but then Ferin posted a photo on her Instagram of these little gnome figurines she gifted her daughter. They move them around the house like elf on a shelf, resulting in endless joy when her daughter sees that they’ve moved. If they have little gnomes, these little doors have made it to the right home: one full of wonder and magic.

I first thought to make Ferin earrings but she already has quite the collection. She is a beadworker that makes beautiful earrings (see her Instagram here) and who avidly supports other makers of earrings . I settled on the idea of a necklace and from there landed on a door design inspired by cartouches (a cartouche is basically an ID made from Egyptian hieroglyphs). My idea for the cartouche came from some of the things Ferin explained to me about the significance of each piece of jewellery. Although this new-age iteration doesn’t spell her name like a standard version, I made it with the intention of representing who she is. Although our names identify us, it’s our experiences that shape our identities.

I wanted to incorporate another stone alongside the oval sapphire, but all of the stones she liked weren’t working with my ideas (insert panic). I searched for a stone that was a bit matchy matchy but also hit the earth tones she seemed drawn to. I picked a rustic sapphire that has a bit of browny gold that ties into the yellow gold elements of the pendant.

I normally only make one piece of jewellery for metamorphosis but I could clearly envision using her pear-shape sapphires in mini doors for her kids. Plus, the pear-shape sapphires were a gift from her husband and the yellow gold a gift from her grandparents, so it just seemed like the perfect way to pass down some family heirlooms to her kids who will one day carve their own paths, opening their own doors, whilst on their own adventures.

Birthstone Conundrum...

I often have people ask me what they can do with birthstones that aren’t very complementary or that need “something” to tie them together. My answer is usually either 1) skip the birthstones if you aren’t sure or 2) add a stone that ties in both colours but that is representative of something and not just a random addition.

The above piece is a perfect example of option 2: it features amethyst for February and citrine for November. To tie the look together, I found a Tiffany stone that had shades of both colours. Furthermore, Tiffany stone represents love which is the most important part of creating this pendant for the two parties it represents.

Metamorphosis 44: Star-set stone bangle

Have you ever heard the quote “the universe is giving you what you asked for”?

Well, I have a list of jewellery items I want to make and I keep hoping what I want to make lines up with what my metamorphosis volunteers like and want. And it’s happening! Thank you universe!

I wanted to make a bangle with star-set stones. I’ve made similar pendants in the past but not any bangles with this type of setting and it just looks so dreamy on a bangle!

I’ve always had a thing with stars my whole life (I’ve had the same star keychain for the last 15 years) so the idea of incorporating then in jewellery designs brings me joy!

I envision this being a great gift for anyone, but especially mothers and grandmothers: the stars can represent all the children and grandchildren! I can use white stones or birthstones and make the bangle in silver or gold!

To make this I melted down some unique silver pieces including a picture frame and a cutlery base. For the record, cutlery bases aren’t really worth taking apart. They are glued, and I mean GLUED to whatever is in the inside and they don't seperate well. Do you have any non-jewellery sterling silver items you would melt?

The photo above has a brushed-finish and below polished-finish.

Compostable and Recyclable Shipping Materials

Last October I posted a list of environmental practises I do daily along with a few things I was working on for the future.

One of those things I was working was greener shipping materials AND I recently ordered compostable mailers and stuffing! I hadn’t ordered sooner because I had so much left over of what I already had. Here’s the thing with packaging: you have to order in bulk! Because most of my work is custom, I don’t need as many bubble mailers as I am required to buy! Anyways, I was able to repurpose and donate a lot of my old materials to people who can actually use them multiple times.

So moving forward, all of my shipping materials are compostable or recyclable! The velvet bags that I ship jewellery in are neither, but they are meant to be reusable and last you a long time! I used to order cheaper ones until I found the new ones I use. Although they are more expensive, it’s important to me to use packaging that is going to last a long time if it’s not compostable or recyclable.

Looking forward to wrapping up orders to ship, guilt-free!

Small but mighty makeover!

Do you have a piece of jewellery you don’t or can’t wear but you’re sad to melt it down?

My customer had her dad’s ring. She was really close to her dad and was on the fence about melting his ring but she couldn’t wear it because it was way too big and hard to size down because of the design. I suggested melting down the band but keeping the face of the ring and turning it into a pendant. That way she has the best of both worlds! She has the most important part of her dad’s old ring and she was able to make her and her daughter new rings using the leftover gold.

Not all makeovers are big. Some are small but mighty!

Want to work with me this year?

It is NEVER too early to get your order in! Seriously! I am currently taking appointments for end of February and suggest getting in touch as soon as possible if you would like custom work or if you would like to order for a special event this year.

Here are some deadlines to keep in mind!

Mother’s Day: order between now and deadline of April 8th.

Graduations: order between now and deadline of May 13th.

Father’s Day: order between now and deadline of May 13th.

Wedding Bands: order at least two months ahead of wedding.

Makeover Monday: Wedding set update!

How do you feel about melting down wedding rings? Some people are appalled by the idea. Some people ARE HERE FOR IT!

I’m happy to fix up old rings and make them shine like new. I am also happy to melt down old wedding sets that no longer match your style or are broken. Even in a new form, the ring will still represent the memory of your love.

I recently melted down my customers old wedding set. It just wasn’t her anymore. She wanted something she actually wanted to wear and that was low-profile for easy every day use. We came up with a wider band style and set all the stones between tube-settings and flush-set into the band. If you head over to my Instagram (here), you can see what her wedding set looked like before I melted it!

What do you think? Would you melt down your old engagement ring or wedding band to make something new?

Happy New Year!

In 2021, this bench of mine saw years of family traditions and beautiful memories, both old and new. From heirloom jewellery repairs to jewellery makeovers, it's truly an honour to hold space for so many special memories that my customers share with me.

My last tradition of every year is to clean my bench and start fresh every year. Today is my first day back to work in 2022 and things aren't as organized as I would have liked... but I recognize that the magic is in the mess and I wouldn't have it any other way ❤

2021 Gratitude and Donations

What a year it’s been and I have all of you to thank for it!

I tried new business opportunities, met new people via online networking groups, took on projects I wasn’t sure how I would complete but got them done and learned new skills along the way, had a baby, kept working… what a year indeed!

I always spend a day at the end of the year goal planning and thanks to 2021, I have a pretty clear vision of where I want to take my business in 2022.

This year I was able to donate just under $1000 to various charities thanks to your support and love for my jewellery. Every year I list my donation receipts for full transparency (you can see them below).

My donations are usually tied to my jewellery collections and or special sales, but this year with having a baby, I wasn’t able to make as many collections as I would have liked. So instead I donated $5 from every sale and split the funds amongst different causes.

Thank you again for all your support! I look forward to what 2022 brings!

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Goal Planning for 2022

Early morning 2022 goal planning session. Got any ideas for me? Or things you'd love to see me work on?

This year was a bit chaotic so I'm definitely planning things a little differently next year to have more balance. I'm looking forward to a new year of possibilities!

Traditions

The week between Christmas and New Years I have a few traditions:

1) I go through all of my inventory and I melt down things that I no longer want to sell. Out with the old to make room for the new.

2) I clean out my bench. During the year (mostly from September onward to be honest) I stuff my drawers with things to “deal with later” and then one day I just commit to organizing it all.

3) I make a list of goals I want to accomplish or explore the following year.

Do you have any yearly business traditions?

Shop Talk with Louanne Midgley

I recently did an interview with Louanne for Shop Talk: a video podcast for entrepreneurs. Watch above or over on Shop Talk (here)!

A mutual friend, artist Kathleen Tennant (see her art here and the cool ring she commissioned from me here), introduced us and Louanne ended up being my last Metamorphosis volunteer! You can see her metamorphosis here.

I always get nervous when I do video interviews because I ramble a lot! Louanne did such a wonderful job of editing and incorporating photos into the video that distract from my rambles! But in all seriousness, she masterfully executed and edited this wonderful video that includes several different elements and I’m so grateful for the experience!

I never thought about video much until last year when I read a business book that talked about how in an age of image overload, videos catch peoples’ attention. The video Louanne created for my business is such an asset to have as a business owner and I think any small business would benefit from such an impactful marketing tool!

About SHOP TALK

There are millions of small businesses in the world. Most are led by founder entrepreneurs. In common among them is a drive and a desire to learn and push boundaries.
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​[Shop Talk] hopes to capture the truth of business building, the behind-the-scenes look at well earned wins and tough lessons, and what we’re all trying to do, which is to follow our passion and share our passion with others.

Learn more here.

Christmas Deadlines

SHIPPING

Last year there were shipping delays. This year, they are predicting even bigger delays.

To make sure orders arrive in time, the last day to ship both nationally and internationally is December 1st and shipping costs will be more than usual.

After December 1st, there are NO GUARANTEES and shipping WILL COST MORE.

These aren’t just my rules! You will find that most people are in the same boat! So please, please get your orders in early if you intend to support my business over Christmas.

CUSTOM ORDER DEADLINES

The last day to place custom orders for fine jewellery is November 15th. Why? A piece that normally takes 3 weeks to make, may take an extra week or two because of how busy everyone is during this time of year.

The last day to place orders for sterling silver jewellery is December 1st. Why is this later than fine jewellery? Because sterling silver jewellery is less complicated. If you want a complicated silver piece, I might not be able to get it done in time. So please don’t wait last minute to ask!

After those days I may still be taking orders but whether I can get your request done in time will depend on what you want made or how many other orders I have. I already have 6 Christmas (that were placed by mid-October).

Questions?! Don’t hesitate to ask!